In the first nine months of 2025, Spain saw a 3.5% increase in foreign tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2024, reaching an unprecedented total of nearly 76.5 million visitors. This milestone represents the highest number recorded in the FRONTUR series compiled by the National Statistics Institute (INE). September alone welcomed almost 9.7 million foreign tourists, a 0.8% rise year-on-year and the highest figure ever registered for that month.
Top Source Countries and Leading Spanish Regions
The primary countries of origin for foreign visitors during this period were:
- The United Kingdom, with nearly 15.3 million visitors, reflecting a 4% annual increase;
- France, contributing over 10.2 million visitors, a slight decline of 0.1%;
- Germany, with almost 9.5 million tourists, up 1.4% from the previous year.
The most popular destinations within Spain were:
- Andalusia, attracting 11.5 million visitors, a significant 7.3% increase;
- Catalonia, welcoming 15.8 million tourists, maintaining steady numbers compared to 2024;
- The Balearic Islands, with 13.7 million visitors, up 3% year-on-year.
Accommodation Preferences of Foreign Tourists
Hotels remain the predominant choice for accommodation, hosting over 50 million tourists during this period. Approximately 9.4 million visitors opted to rent private properties, while around 4 million stayed in their own holiday homes. Additionally, 8.2 million tourists chose to stay with relatives or friends.
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Record-Breaking Tourist Spending
Foreign tourists’ spending also reached new heights, totaling €105.828 billion from January to September 2025, a 7% increase compared to the previous year. British tourists led in expenditure, accounting for 18% of total spending, followed by Germans at 11.7% and French visitors at 8.9%. In September alone, spending reached an estimated €13.364 billion, marking a 6% year-on-year increase and setting a new record for the month.